BMH Auxiliary awards nine scholarships

MADISON — Nine deserving college students from Boone County were each awarded a $500 Scholarship from the Boone Memorial Hospital Auxiliary this week.

The Ladies’ Auxiliary has been part of the BMH Family since shortly after the hospital opened its doors in 1964.

“We have been here nearly 50 years,” said Dawn Rita Long, current Auxiliary President. “We initially started the scholarship program years ago to help students out with college expenses.”

Woods put together a scholarship committee, who were in charge of reviewing the applications and selecting recipients. The committee consisted of Auxiliary members Kay Vance, Bette Grubbs and Harold Woods.

Woods laughed and said, “I think we are going to probably stop calling it the Ladies’ Auxiliary since we have several men now. They really do a great job and have helped us a lot. We are happy to have them.”

Students applying for the scholarship must be from Boone County and pursuing a degree in the medical field of some sort. The Auxiliary also requires that the students apply after they have completed their first year of basic courses.

“They can’t apply just out of high school,” explained Woods. “We also select students who we feel are of greatest need. We awarded nine this year, but normally award around 4-5 per year, which is probably going to be our limit in the future due to funding. If recipients decide to come back to work at Boone Memorial and further their education we are considering giving those recipients additional support. Our hope is that they come back and work at BMH.”

This year’s BMH Auxiliary Scholarship Award recipients for 2013 are:

Name: College Attending: Degree Pursuing:

Margaret Prue Everest Institute Massage Therapy

Charissa D. Workman Fairmont State University Nursing

Maria S. Gilliam Marshall University Pharmacy

Donovan Grant Marshall University Pharmacy

Dusty A. Vance Marshall University Nursing

Timothy Chapman SWVCTC Nursing

Hayley B. Gibson SWVCTC Medical Lab Tech

Ashley Starkey SWVCTC Medical Assistant

Shiloh Meeker WV Jr. College Medical Assistant

“They are all very good students and we were happy to help. They all deserve it,” said Selection Committee Reviewer and Auxiliary member, Harold Woods.

In addition to the $500 cash award, students also received a nice certificate. The award presentation was held at the monthly Auxiliary Meeting held in the BMH Conference Room on May 28, 2013. Hayley Gibson was also awarded an additional $1000, which was selected by hospital Administration.

“The Auxiliary gave the hospital the extra thousand so they could also select a deserving student. So BMH as a whole gave out 10 total awards. It was a rewarding day,” said Woods.

Students can apply for next year’s award simply by picking up an application at the BMH snack bar (located on the 1st floor in the lobby at BMH) from one of the Auxiliary members.

Tommy Mullins, CEO at Boone Memorial commended the Auxiliary for their service and dedication to the community.

“They are a breath of fresh air. They have done so much for the hospital and people of Boone County. They have continually bought much needed medical equipment for the hospital over the years and even help send our employees to college or training courses to better their education. Not to mention they give students like these nine annual scholarships. I really can’t say enough good things about this amazing group. We are very lucky to have them,” said Mullins.

They also do special things for the patients such as give gifts during the holidays, such as Mother’s Day books and Christmas gifts. The Auxiliary also manages the snack bar and pop machines and have various additional fund raisers, which allow them to give scholarships and purchase equipment for BMH.

There currently 36 active members (30 women and 6 men). Officers are Dawa Rita Woods (President) Suzie Price (Vice President), Tammy Searls (Secretary), and Patsy Green (Treasurer). Woods was also recently selected as the BMH Auxilian of the Year. She was given a dozen roses, a gold watch and plaque displaying her picture.

The group is tight knit and work tirelessly to be able to give scholarships annually.

“We plan to continue the tradition for many years to come,” said Woods. “These students were top notch and we wish them great success in their careers and hope they will consider coming back to BMH to work when they graduate. It would be an honor to have them,” she concluded.